On February 20, 2022, the Lord called Marvette Craighead Tate home from Chippenham Hospital in Richmond, Virginia. She was 63 years of age. On May 18, 1958, a compassionate and talented person was born to the parents of Sarah Hairston Craighead and the late Marvin Clay Craighead, Sr.

Marvette attended Henry County Public Schools and graduated from Laurel Park High School in 1976. She moved to Richmond afterwards and attended Virginia Commonwealth University earning a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration in 1981. Later, she attended Union Theological Seminary and moved on to study 12 Step Christian Spirituality at Presbyterian School of Christian Education. In 1995, she earned a Master of Arts degree in Christian Education. Marvette was a member of several churches, but the last one being First Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor Jim Summerville.

Marvette’s work experience includes many years at William M. Mercer Inc. until she became disabled. In 1990, she began volunteering at Richmond Hill, a Christian fellowship community. Later, she became their front office assistant until the pandemic occurred.

As for interests, Marvette was an avid reader and spent a lot of time in the library and bookstores. Having a pet, especially a cat, was always a priority. Her biggest passion in life was reaching out and helping others in need.

Marvette was preceded in death by her father, Marvin Clay Craighead, Sr. and her two brothers Marvin Clay Craighead, Jr and David Roy Craighead, as well as her sister, Bonnie Craighead Tarpley.

Those left to cherish her memory include: her husband, Owen Jack Tate of Richmond, VA; her mother, Sarah Hairston Craighead of Martinsville, VA; two sisters, Debbie (Vernon) Williams of Greensboro, NC and Maranda (Waylon) Rooks of Richmond, VA; one aunt, Aurelia Grant of Redondo Beach, CA; two nephews, Marcus Tarpley of Martinsville, VA and Reginald Hammock of Durham, NC; one great niece, Ava Hammock of Reidsville, NC and a host of cousins and great friends.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, March 1, 2022, at 12 noon at the C.R.V. Memorial Chapel at Hairston Funeral Home with Pastor Carlton Redd, Presiding, and Pastor John F. Adams, Eulogist. Burial will follow at Carver Memorial Gardens, 1310 Carver Road, Martinsville, VA. Viewing will be held on Monday, February 28, 2022, at Hairston Funeral Home between the hours of 1 p.m. until 5 p.m. In accordance with the CDC, a face covering, and social distancing is required.

To view live streaming of the funeral service, go to Hairston Funeral Home live on Facebook, then click on the service.

Hairston Funeral Home is serving the Craighead/Tate family.